Two more human cases of West Nile virus have been detected in Manitoba, bringing the total number of cases this year to 11.
Details of the newsest cases have not been released, but additional information, including age, gender, residence and likeliest area of exposure, will be provided on the province's website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health says one of the nine positive test results was found through Canadian Blood Services routine screening.
The province says the number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the kind that carries West Nile, is declining.
However, as daytime and evening temperatures become cooler, Culex tarsalis mosquitoes may become more active during the day and early evening, with reduced activity overnight during cool temperatures, according to Manitoba Health.
This year's number of cases is relatively low when you compare it to last year, when there was more than 580 cases and four deaths.
Whenever mosquitoes are active, Manitobans are encouraged to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by:
- using appropriate mosquito repellent;
- wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing; and
- maintaining door and window screens so they fit tightly and are free of holes.
Weekly average trap counts of Culex tarsalis are available on the province's West Nile virus website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
For more information about West Nile virus visit the Manitoba Health website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
